Scottish golf clubs encouraged to support historic governing body changes: Scottish Golf Union and the Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association to merge and new structure will also give clubs more say in the running of the game
Plans for the most radical changes ever in the running of Scottish golf took another step forward at a press conference in Edinburgh yesterday/
That’s when a proposal asking the country’s 580 golf clubs to approve the most far-reaching governance changes in the history of Scottish amateur golf will be formally announced.
The proposals envisage an historic amalgamation between the Scottish Golf Union (SGU) and the Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association (SLGA), while the new structure will also give clubs more say in the running of the game. The radical restructuring is announced in the same week as two Scots golfers themselves made history, with Paul Lawrie and Martin Laird winning on the European Tour and on the US Tour on the same day.
Following a two-year process of consultation with the game’s stakeholders – clubs, Areas and Counties – the final proposal is being sent out this week with clubs invited to indicate their support for the changes before the end of April.
The two governing bodies are calling on clubs, Areas and Counties to support the amalgamation proposal and influence the vote on the proposal at special general meetings in May. A seventy-five per cent vote in favour of amalgamation is required in both bodies before the proposal can be officially adopted.
The male and female governing bodies have been working closely together for a number of years and the proposed new structure reflects this, the increasing number of clubs which are welcoming equality and the desire of ordinary golfers, through their clubs, to have a bigger say in how the amateur game is run.
The proposed new governing body will also bring golf in Scotland into line with the governing bodies of other sports which have all embraced a modern, inclusive and equality agenda while Scotland is currently one of only four countries which does not yet have a unified national amateur golf body.
Shona Malcolm, Chairman of the Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association, said: “The final proposal reflects what we believe is a structure for modern, streamlined governance to take Scottish golf forward. We have listened to our stakeholders and members and incorporated a number of the changes suggested. We are confident that clubs will support the proposal.”
Chairman of the Scottish Golf Union Douglas Connon added: “Having been round the country at our recent series of seminars, the overwhelming majority of clubs present were in favour of the changes. We would encourage all clubs, Areas and Counties in Scotland to play their part in seeing the amalgamation through to a successful conclusion.”